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OPINION: Why Are We Still Conserving Water?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Steven P. Dinkin

The National Conflict Resolution Center handles many disputes involving minor family tensions that escalate into major sources of friction. We explore this category today with an example of a couple locked in disagreement over water conservation practices. Partner A, who grudgingly agreed to curtail water usage during the drought, believes the current onslaught of rain is a license to take long showers and run the tap while brushing teeth. Partner B, who is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, sees no reason to backslide into wasteful habits. Like most domestic standoffs, this was prompted by a “presenting issue” (an argument over water conservation), but it involves more complex challenges of handling 24/7 diverging views and clashing priorities.

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The Challenges & Solutions Of Water Scarcity

/in , /by /CleanTechnica

30 years from now, about 7 in 10 people will live in cities across the globe. One of the main challenges for the governments will be to provide infrastructure and services such as housing and safe drinking water for all. With global warming and climate change increasing the risk of floods and droughts around the world, access to clean water will be at the heart of every discussion. REVOLVE interviewed Diane D’Arras, President of the International Water Association, to talk about these challenges and the importance of raising awareness on the topic in order to create a momentum and encouraging governments and organizations to start acting now.

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First Of Three Back-To-Back Storms Moves Into San Diego County

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins

The first of three moderate rain storms spread out across San Diego County Saturday, where it dropped up to a half-inch of rain at the coast, according to the National Weather Service. As of 4 p.m., the fairly warm system from the central Pacific had soaked Solana Beach with 0.52 inches, Fallbrook with 0.72 inches and Palomar Mountain with 1.48 inches. Other areas saw much less precipitation, such as the San Diego International Airport with only 0.17 inches. A wind advisory is in effect until midnight in the mountains. Forecasters say isolated showers could last into Sunday.

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Breaking Impasse, Feds Will Include Salton Sea In Seven-State Drought Plan, IID Says

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Janet Wilson and Ian James

There may be hope for finalizing a sweeping Colorado River drought contingency plan after all. Imperial Irrigation District officials announced at a special board meeting late Friday that the federal Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to their condition that the drought package include restoration of the Salton Sea. They said federal officials will write a strong letter of support backing IID’s requests for $200 million in Farm Bill funding for wetlands projects around the shrinking sea, which is California’s largest inland water body. The projects are aimed at keeping down dust along the shorelines and salvaging deteriorating habitat for fish and birds.

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OPINION: We Can Plan For A ‘Leaner’ Colorado River As We Save The Salton Sea

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Ted Kowalski

Over the past five years, the seven Colorado River Basin states have been working to develop a series of drought contingency plans (DCPs) to safeguard water levels at Lake Mead. Responding to a 19-year drought, leaders throughout the basin are at last close to finalizing the agreements necessary to bolster conservation and safeguard water levels on the river. The DCPs will ensure that the Colorado River basin can balance water supplies and demands in a way that supports a healthy river and environment. The future of the Colorado River depends on the conservation and flexibility within the DCP agreements.

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Major Improvements For Colorado’s Drought Picture As Strong Snowpack Continues

/in , /by /Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.)by Chris Sorensen

Thanks to a series of recent snow storms, drought conditions in Colorado have shown substantial improvements over the past month, including the past week, with extreme drought nearly disappearing from the state. A remaining sliver of exceptional drought – the worst category – in southwest Archuleta County disappeared in the latest report from the National Drought Mitigation Center.

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Voluntary Agreements Shared With State Water Board. Will They Replace Disputed Flow Plan?

/in , /by /The Modesto Beeby Ken Carlson

The top state agencies that manage water and wildlife resources in California submitted a package of voluntary agreements with water districts to the State Water Resources Control Board on Friday, as an alternative to controversial flow requirements approved in December for the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced rivers. The agreements, hammered out in the waning hours of Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration and favored by Gov. Gavin Newsom, combine increased river flows with a larger set of tools for restoring salmon in rivers that feed into the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta.

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California’s Largest Reservoir Shot Up 39 Feet In Elevation In February

/in , /by /SF Gateby Amy Graff

The storms hitting California in February have left their mark on California’s largest and most important water reserve. Shasta Lake jumped 39 feet in elevation since February 1 and as of Tuesday it was at 85 percent of capacity and only 25 feet from its crest. Amid a wet winter, dramatic lake level rises have been common this year. Folsom Lake east of Sacramento rose 30 feet in January, while Lake Oroville shot up 75 feet in February.

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Oceanside Takes Step Toward Water Independence With $2.6 Million Grant

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Phil Diehl Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Oceanside announced it will receive a $2.6 million federal grant to build two more of the wells that the city has used for more than 20 years to supply a portion of its drinking water. The wells pump brackish water from what’s called the Mission Basin, an area near the airport, the old swap meet property and the San Luis Rey River. The city filters the water using the same reverse osmosis process used on a much larger scale in Carlsbad to desalinate seawater.

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How Atmospheric River Storms Tamed California’s Drought

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribune

California’s unusually wet and cold winter has caused epic snow, serious flooding and a renewed interest in umbrellas and portable heaters. But the atmospheric river storms have also put a huge dent in the state’s water woes — at least for now. It’s common in a wet winter, though not a guarantee. Here’s a rundown on how this winter’s storms have affected California, from the pages of The Times.

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